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There are of course, rules and regulations for Canadian Boating, and for Canadian Customs. You
will need to know what they are, so we have links (on our link page) for all the important information that you will
need to know before you go.
The Canadian Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety lists "Requirements for Foreign Recreational
Vessels in Canadian Waters". Visiting boaters staying in Canadian waters less than 45 days are exempt
from most regulations for safety equipment if their boat is legally fitted and licenced in their home state;
however, visitors must follow all other Canadian boating regulations with speed limits, toilet and discharge
regulations, age and power restrictions, drinking and driving, drinking and boating laws, as well as VHF radio
station license, marine radio operator license.
TAKE NOTE: If you plan to be in Canada more than 45 days, (as of 2009) all boat operators are now
required to show proof of competency to operate a boat in Canada - this includes all visitors and all
non-residents - but only if you are staying more than 45 days. Proof of competency can be in the form of your
home state's "Pleasure Craft Operator Card" (PCOC), The PCOC is recognized in both Canada and the U.S.
(We have a link on our Link page for this.) From our link, you can download PCOC study guide for free.
The captain of a boat arriving in Canada must report to Canadian Border Services Agency (was Canada
Customs) immediately upon arrival. You must report in at designated stations, but, as a convenience, many
marinas are such a designated station, and have instructions posted by the docks with Toll-free phone
numbers.
It is illegal to stop or anchor anywhere in Canadian waters before checking in. What you want to
obtain (and they will give it over the phone) is a "Customs Report number" and when you get it - for heaven's
sake man - get it correct, and don't loose it.
Kingston Mills, (the most southern Rideau Canal lock) is an official "Canada Customs Report Site".
American boaters can call directly to Canadian Border Services Agency and receive their Customs Report
number when entering the Rideau Canal as their first Canadian stop arriving from the United States.
You will need your boat license, insurance, and registration, as well as a list of full names, citizenship, birth
dates, and addresses of all persons on board your vessel. You will also be required to show vaccination
papers for pets. You should be prepared to keep all passengers on board until you have been cleared entry
procedures. Make an entry in your ship's log with date, agent's name, location of entry, and clearance number
for reference in any future disputes.
Folks... It is true, I love cruising America's Great Loop, but I have to admit, Cruising Canada is World-
class cruising - it is truly the "icing on the cake" when it comes to cruising the Great Loop.
The Rideau Waterway has to be one of the best-kept cruising secrets in North America. Located in eastern
Ontario, the Waterway links Ottawa, on the historic Ottawa River, at one end - and Kingston, on Lake Ontario,
at the other. Along the Rideau you will find a magical mix of city life and country life (both, with their own kind of
wild-life). You'll cruise through incredible scenery and past the finest of fine dining restaurants, there is great
fishing, quaint hotels, magnificent museums, historic sites, and scenic, peaceful backwaters.
This is the ultimate place where past and present, nature and culture, meld in a setting of tranquillity and
charm. All along the way, you learn little by little about the rich heritage of this part of Canada. There are 24
lock stations and almost as many museums. Many of the locks are virtually as they were well over 150 years
ago – peaceful and secluded - they will take you back to the 19th century.
This is the region that is the most popular tourist, recreation, and boating areas in all of Canada. Every year,
90,000 boats pass through these locks, and millions of people visit the parks, beaches, and historical sites
along the canal. The waterway, (as was the Erie Canal) was an amazing achievement in 1826. Today, this
series of rivers, lakes, wetlands, man-made canals and locks, come together in the most beautiful, scenic, and
historic waterways in the world... It is truly a cruiser's dream.
class cruising - it is truly the "icing on the cake" when it comes to cruising the Great Loop.
The Rideau Waterway has to be one of the best-kept cruising secrets in North America. Located in eastern
Ontario, the Waterway links Ottawa, on the historic Ottawa River, at one end - and Kingston, on Lake Ontario,
at the other. Along the Rideau you will find a magical mix of city life and country life (both, with their own kind of
wild-life). You'll cruise through incredible scenery and past the finest of fine dining restaurants, there is great
fishing, quaint hotels, magnificent museums, historic sites, and scenic, peaceful backwaters.
This is the ultimate place where past and present, nature and culture, meld in a setting of tranquillity and
charm. All along the way, you learn little by little about the rich heritage of this part of Canada. There are 24
lock stations and almost as many museums. Many of the locks are virtually as they were well over 150 years
ago – peaceful and secluded - they will take you back to the 19th century.
This is the region that is the most popular tourist, recreation, and boating areas in all of Canada. Every year,
90,000 boats pass through these locks, and millions of people visit the parks, beaches, and historical sites
along the canal. The waterway, (as was the Erie Canal) was an amazing achievement in 1826. Today, this
series of rivers, lakes, wetlands, man-made canals and locks, come together in the most beautiful, scenic, and
historic waterways in the world... It is truly a cruiser's dream.
| Cruising Canada |
| Cruising Canada is WORLD CLASS CRUISING |
On the Rideau Canal, you will cruise right into the shadow of Canada's Parliament Buildings.
This is where a giant flight of locks “step” boats 77 feet from the Ottawa River to the canal that winds through
the city.
The canal merges with the Rideau River at Hogs Back Lockstation. Heading south from Ottawa the first town
is Manotick. On the river in the centre of town is one of the most splendid historic mills in Canada, Watson’s
Mill, built was built in 1860.
South of Manotick is “The Long Reach.” it is the longest section of the waterway without a lock and a very
popular place for canoes and kayaks. At the next lockstation, Burritts Rapids a canal lined by massive cut
limestone blocks and cedar forests bypasses the rapids. A few miles further is the historic town of Merrickville.
The town is one of the most picturesque in Ontario, with its historic buildings, ruins of a woollen mill, a
blockhouse museum, and the headquarters of the Canadian Canoeing Association is located just south of the
locks in Merrickville.
Continuing, the Rideau cuts through a series of marshes and shallow lakes on the way to Smiths Falls. In the
centre of Smiths Falls is one of the three lockstations on the system operated by hydraulics. A pleasant
saunter from the Combined Lock is the Rideau Canal Museum, and you certainly will want to take a trip to the
Hershey’s Chocolate Factory which is just a short walk from Old Sly’s Lock.
A narrow channel lined with limestone blocks winding through cedar forests and wetlands links Smiths Falls to
Lower Rideau Lake. An interesting side trip leads from Lower Rideau Lake up the Tay River to the historic
town of Perth.
For many, the most scenic section of the Rideau Waterway stretches from The Narrows, between Big Rideau
Lake and Upper Rideau Lake, and Jones Falls. The keystone arch dam at Jones Falls was the highest in
North America when it was built in 1830. You can still hear the sound of a hammer striking hot iron in the 1840’
s blacksmith shop. The hilltop lockmaster’s house has been restored to give you a glimpse of the life of a
lockmaster in the 19th century.
This is where a giant flight of locks “step” boats 77 feet from the Ottawa River to the canal that winds through
the city.
The canal merges with the Rideau River at Hogs Back Lockstation. Heading south from Ottawa the first town
is Manotick. On the river in the centre of town is one of the most splendid historic mills in Canada, Watson’s
Mill, built was built in 1860.
South of Manotick is “The Long Reach.” it is the longest section of the waterway without a lock and a very
popular place for canoes and kayaks. At the next lockstation, Burritts Rapids a canal lined by massive cut
limestone blocks and cedar forests bypasses the rapids. A few miles further is the historic town of Merrickville.
The town is one of the most picturesque in Ontario, with its historic buildings, ruins of a woollen mill, a
blockhouse museum, and the headquarters of the Canadian Canoeing Association is located just south of the
locks in Merrickville.
Continuing, the Rideau cuts through a series of marshes and shallow lakes on the way to Smiths Falls. In the
centre of Smiths Falls is one of the three lockstations on the system operated by hydraulics. A pleasant
saunter from the Combined Lock is the Rideau Canal Museum, and you certainly will want to take a trip to the
Hershey’s Chocolate Factory which is just a short walk from Old Sly’s Lock.
A narrow channel lined with limestone blocks winding through cedar forests and wetlands links Smiths Falls to
Lower Rideau Lake. An interesting side trip leads from Lower Rideau Lake up the Tay River to the historic
town of Perth.
For many, the most scenic section of the Rideau Waterway stretches from The Narrows, between Big Rideau
Lake and Upper Rideau Lake, and Jones Falls. The keystone arch dam at Jones Falls was the highest in
North America when it was built in 1830. You can still hear the sound of a hammer striking hot iron in the 1840’
s blacksmith shop. The hilltop lockmaster’s house has been restored to give you a glimpse of the life of a
lockmaster in the 19th century.
| No wonder this area is the headquarters of Canada's Canoeing Association. Just ahead, your looking at the locks in Merrickville. |
| Rules and Regulations for Canadian Boating |
The Trent Severn Waterway is a sight to behold. It's overall length is 240 miles, it features 44 locks,
including the first and second highest lift locks in the world. Two flight locks and one marine railway. It took 87
years to complete. The Waterway is made up of 596 feet to the summit at Balsam Lake and then decent 262
feet down to Georgian Bay.
Initially, the first elements of the waterway were dams and locks, built primarily to accommodate water
powered mills, and the move timbers.
Boaters are abundant, as the Trent Severn is shared by locals with boaters renting cottages, houseboat
rentals, fishermen, as well as us fortunate Great Loop and other long-distance cruisers.
The Trent Severn is an integral, and very enjoyable part of the Great Loop, when you are through it; you won't
hardly be able to stay at your helm - for wanting to tell all your friends and family about it. And you will be biting
at the bit, for the first chance to swap stories with all those other fortunate souls making the trip.
No matter how long your journey lasts, boating along the Trent Severn, the Rideau Canal, and all of Canada; it
will be as with all the American side - a journey, an adventure, a voyage - that you forever will wish your future
holds a return trip.
including the first and second highest lift locks in the world. Two flight locks and one marine railway. It took 87
years to complete. The Waterway is made up of 596 feet to the summit at Balsam Lake and then decent 262
feet down to Georgian Bay.
Initially, the first elements of the waterway were dams and locks, built primarily to accommodate water
powered mills, and the move timbers.
Boaters are abundant, as the Trent Severn is shared by locals with boaters renting cottages, houseboat
rentals, fishermen, as well as us fortunate Great Loop and other long-distance cruisers.
The Trent Severn is an integral, and very enjoyable part of the Great Loop, when you are through it; you won't
hardly be able to stay at your helm - for wanting to tell all your friends and family about it. And you will be biting
at the bit, for the first chance to swap stories with all those other fortunate souls making the trip.
No matter how long your journey lasts, boating along the Trent Severn, the Rideau Canal, and all of Canada; it
will be as with all the American side - a journey, an adventure, a voyage - that you forever will wish your future
holds a return trip.
| © 1993 - 2012 CaptainJohn.org |
| Capt John's America's Great Loop |
